OT: Anybody got a spare liver?

[Terry C.]

Just a short update to my recent health issues.

The root cause of my internal bleeding problems seems to be my liver. Years upon years of self-destructive behavior has left me with permanent liver damage (among other things). Even though I have been clean and sober for 15 years, the damage is done and it's irreversible.

So today I get the news that my case will be turned over to the Mayo Clinic for evaluation that may lead to me being a candidate for a liver transplant. I may not need the transplant now, or anytime soon, but eventually my current liver is going to break and the only viable repair is replacement.

I have no excuses, when you are young you are indestructible. I lived a lifestyle that would have, and sometimes did, kill better men than me. I have no one to blame for this but myself. My sins are many.

Now I can just hope for the best.


Sorry to have drifted so far off-topic. It's been a long day.

[Cat Whisperer]

Terry -

Thanks for the update.  Sounds like you've got a grip on it now!

The health and welfare of our folks is always ON-topic.

[phalanx]

Oh ,Terry my prayers go out to you for real.
A man who works with me his wife had that also.
Be very careful my friend ,they transplanted her Liver ,and it messed up her kidneys.
And she never was destructive to her body ,i guess it just happens.
But the Kidneys got her in the end ,but she lived for 20 years after that.
This is why we all need to sign up for organ donation , Put it on your drivers license.
Donate to these groups directly ,not through an organization.
Not to sound bad ,A lot of convicts going to Death row Receive Jesus , they want to help ,so do servicemen and women.
But the problem is the Government , Lethal injection destroys the organs ,Firing squad is the only one that doesn't ,except the heart.
Some Convicts have been in touch with family members who need what you need.
They go to Court trying to get the execution to be something that will save the organ that is needed.
A condemned man should be able to make this request.
I am clean and sober ,but if i were to go tomorrow i would want you to have anything you needed.
As would a lot of our war dead ,this system needs to be repaired ,for good people like you.

[lance]

Terry, sometimes it's hard to find the right words for comfort. Hope things work out for you, wishing you the best, comes to mind. Trust in the Lord is another thought. my past life involved shooting at folks and having them shoot back at me. i always did, and still do trust in the Lord, he did'nt keep me from getting shot, but he kept me from dying. in other words, some days look real bad, never give up Trusting in the Lord, it works!

[KABAR2]

Terry,

I'm sorry you are going through this, but I am glad that you
take responsibility for your earlier life, many people when faced
with something like this blame the world or worse blame God,
Though we don't really know each other you are in my prayers, and I pray
there will be a door opened and a chance for a new liver and with it healing.



Allen <><

[seacoastartillery]

     Terry,   Mike and I wish you the very best as you deal with this news.  Personally, I believe it's best to know about these things; ignorance is NOT bliss.  Knowing is a shock, but it allows you to make proper decisions and plans.

Best regards,

Tracy and Mike

[mortarmaker]

Terry,

    Though I really don't know you I wish you the best. You sound like a strong individual.
And I'm sure you will fair out fine.

Thoughts and prayers got out to you.

Brian

[phalanx]

Terry :
We set a candle for you at the church and prayed.
You are a  good man ,i have Read all of your post, My heart feels this will work out for you .
Please let us know about the status of this ,and if you need any help.
I don't know about this site, but i have seen others set up a raffle for a member ,and lots of guys here would donate something for that ,and i am sure this one would also.
Our hearts and prayers are with you.

[Victor3]

 Terry,

 About fifteen years ago I was terribly sick. My skin and the whites of my eyes were yellow (Jaundice), I could hardly move any of my joints and had unbearable abdominal pain.

 My Wife dragged me to a doctor who told us that I either had liver cancer or some serious brand of hepatitis. It didn't look good, and many were praying for my survival. It was a tough time, and I was a bit depressed about my possible soon-coming demise.

 Long story short, I lived. All I could get out of the doctors was that the tests came up negative for cancer/hepatitis, and they didn't know what had caused my condition. I was sick for about two months, but I recovered.

 I don't know if it was a miracle that saved my life or what. However, I have come to the conclusion that we should keep an open mind to the possibility that our prospects may not always be as bad as we're told that they are.

 I don't have a spare liver, but I do have hope for (and pray for) a long and healthy life for you.

[Terry C.]

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. At this point that's all I really need.

Nothing is cast in iron yet. There are still a lot of 'mights' and 'maybes' involved. It's possible that I may live a long life without a transplant.

It's also possible that I could get whacked by a falling meteor tomorrow.


For those that don't know, this is something I totally brought on myself. Take a lot of "Bikes & Booze", mix in a liberal dose of "Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll", stir it for twenty years or so, and you have a recipe for a shortened lifespan.

Livers can and do heal themselves, but they can only do so to a point. It takes healthy tissue to regenerate. Mine is as good as it will ever get, whether it's sufficient to maintain me through the rest of my days is now subject to debate.

[GGaskill]

I could hardly move any of my joints and had unbearable abdominal pain.

Perhaps you had pancreatitis.  The "treatment" for it is basically to keep the patient alive while the body heals itself.

[copdoc]

Good Luck Terry

Mayo has some talented physicians.  There is always hope.